Todd Andrew Barnett is a member of the Libertarian Party of Macomb County, Michigan, the Libertarian Party of Michigan, and the national Libertarian Party. He is also a practicing Aridian Wiccan, and a staunch defender of unrestricted religious, personal, and economic freedom for all. Is it any wonder that he completely misunderstands [see Th 9/11/03] the political situation in Alabama that gave rise to the current tax controversy? What a dufus.
And yet, the witchdoctor is not the only one that is way off base here. My good buddies at the Western Recorder also think that a massive controversial overhaul of the tax system is a better expression of godliness than the 10 Commandments. As critics and pundits put their spin on recent events in Alabama, it is clear that none of them have actually ever been there.
There is a cultural mindset in Alabama that has been deeply influenced by deep South Christianity, cultual conservatism, and shotgun economics. The "good ole' boy" network is strong and most folks don't really give a d-mn what you think about it. "Son, you'd best just learn to get along." Amid all the negative press and confusion I miss something - where are the appreciate-all-cultures liberals who don't like me to share the gospel with a third world tribe but don't mind oppressing and actively seeking to eliminate all vestiges of one of the most culturally rich areas of our great country? I'll tell you where - anyplace that requires crushing cultural mindsets they cannot control. Fascists.
Plenty of bad things you can say about 'Bama. But the people there like it there and they like the way things get along. How can anyone who has not first sought to understand their culture provide any reasonable commentary on their situation? Why do you think that because you went to college you have any understanding at all of the deeper issues for this people group?
Civil war in my lifetime....man, I hate to say that.